Idiot Trump wants to build infrastructure in rural areas over urban

I kinda like this infrastructure approach. The money is all taxpayer money. But, when 50% or 80% comes from the federal government, the feds get a lot of say over our overall infrastructure plan. States feel like they can't do anything without the nod from DC. When they know it's 20%, it puts the state in charge and it's on them to raise the taxes they need to build the infrastructure they need. Conservatives in state houses will need to stop trying to cut taxes to zero every election cycle because it's on them to get the roads and bridges and everything else built and maintained. We shouldn't call it a $1.5 billion infrastructure plan, because the feds can't decide at 20% whether a project goes forward or not; it's a $200 billion infrastructure assistance plan. And, it's fine it puts the emphasis on rural areas, in my mind. The investment case in urban areas is easier for the state to justify. It's hard to justify such cases where populations are low. So, having the feds come and equalize that makes sense to me. You could even call that liberal. I doubt it is enough though for rural red states to really justify a lot of spending though.

The real problem I see is the state tax deductability in the new federal tax reform. That law made it a lot harder for states to choose to levy their own taxes. It'd be fine for the feds to pull back on infrastructure and for the states to step into the lead if the states were free to raise whatever money they needed to build what they wanted. But people are going to balk at taxes in excess of what they can deduct from federal income tax. My humble suggestion would be for states to target additional taxes to the people who got the biggest federal tax cuts, the rich. They've got more money now; may as well use it for infrastructure. You can issue bonds and pay for them with a progressive income tax or a progressive real estate tax.

 

Poor farmers and ranches don't deserve good, safe roads. Hot take!

-edit-
wanted to add, this is class warfare at it's finest and apparently @Sweet Lou 4 2 is in favor of class warfare?! friend, please tell me that's not true!

 

Starting all your threads with 'Idiot Trump' isn't increasing the participation rate of CF members -- sounds juvenile.

 

You may want to at least consider that rural roads have some of the worst conditions. Look up traffic fatalities in Texas. The most dangerous stretches are in rural areas, particularly around oil fields. The amount of damage caused by this industry is apalling and it's ALWAYS in rural areas. Do you know how much commerical traffic goes through rural areas either on county roads or interstates?

I'm not saying build another bridge to nowhere, but don't discount the need for rural infrastructure improvements.

 

I hear that there is an airport on the Island of Gravina in Alaska that has an unfinished bridge that would connect to the town of Ketchikan. Get it done, Donnie.

 

His rural broadband initiative is a good thing, and long overdue. Something like 40% of rural America has no access to speeds the FCC considers "minimum" to do basic things most of us take for granted now.

I don't know enough about the particulars - as I doubt there really are any yet - of his infrastructure proposal to either praise or castigate him, yet.

 

I hate

totally disagree and it's not about per capita reaidents. Truckers transport products from a to c, but cross B to get there. B doesn't need nice roads, but the truckers do. And again, look up where the most traffic fatalities are. They aren't in urban areas. There were like 7 separate accident fatalities in 2 months on one stretch outside Midland (I think).

I'm not saying build bridges and fancy turnpikes. I'm saying that rural infrastructure impacts OUR lives in urban areas and should not be ignored.

 

My sincere apologies if I hurt your feelings.

 

To the victor go the spoils.

 

don't spoil his class warfare!

 

Terrible take! There is plenty of money. As I've said many many times, money has never been the issue. The issue is spending, especially foreign spending. Why continue foreign spending when we have hunger games going on for roads and bridges here at home?

 

He can wave to Putin during the christening ceremony...or more.

You betcha.

 

Who is saying otherwise? America does not need "stupid" infrastructure.

Take a look at US281, where it comes from, and where it goes. Yes, it is a rural highway (between cities), but it transports a ton of commerce. It's not the only one.